A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle

and story, and like all boys, they think themselves
immortal.
    â€œWar will make them old,” Catelyn said, “as it did us.” She had been a girl
when Robert and Ned and Jon Arryn raised their banners against Aerys Targaryen,
a woman by the time the fighting was done. “I pity them.”
    â€œWhy?” Lord Rowan asked her. “Look at them. They’re young and strong, full
of life and laughter. And lust, aye, more lust than they know what to do with.
There will be many a bastard bred this night, I promise you. Why
pity?”
    â€œBecause it will not last,” Catelyn answered, sadly. “Because they are the
knights of summer, and winter is coming.”
    â€œLady Catelyn, you are wrong.” Brienne regarded her with eyes as blue as her
armor. “Winter will never come for the likes of us. Should we die in battle,
they will surely sing of us, and it’s always summer in the songs. In the songs
all knights are gallant, all maids are beautiful, and the sun is always
shining.”
    Winter comes for all of us,
Catelyn thought.
For me, it came
when Ned died. It will come for you too, child, and sooner than you like.
She did not have the heart to say it.
    The king saved her. “Lady Catelyn,” Renly called down. “I feel the need of
some air. Will you walk with me?”
    Catelyn stood at once. “I should be honored.”
    Brienne was on her feet as well. “Your Grace, give me but a moment to don my
mail. You should not be without protection.”
    King Renly smiled. “If I am not safe in the heart of Lord Caswell’s castle,
with my own host around me, one sword will make no
matter . . . not even
your
sword, Brienne. Sit and
eat. If I have need of you, I’ll send for you.”
    His words seemed to strike the girl harder than any blow she had taken that
afternoon. “As you will, Your Grace.” Brienne sat, eyes downcast. Renly took
Catelyn’s arm and led her from the hall, past a slouching guardsman who
straightened so hurriedly that he near dropped his spear. Renly clapped the man
on the shoulder and made a jest of it.
    â€œThis way, my lady.” The king took her through a low door into a stair tower.
As they started up, he said, “Perchance, is Ser Barristan Selmy with your son
at Riverrun?”
    â€œNo,” she answered, puzzled. “Is he no longer with Joffrey? He was the Lord
Commander of the Kingsguard.”
    Renly shook his head. “The Lannisters told him he was too old and gave his
cloak to the Hound. I’m told he left King’s Landing vowing to take up service
with the true king. That cloak Brienne claimed today was the one I was keeping
for Selmy, in hopes that he might offer me his sword. When he did not turn up
at Highgarden, I thought perhaps he had gone to Riverrun instead.”
    â€œWe have not seen him.”
    â€œHe was old, yes, but a good man still. I hope he has not

come to harm. The Lannisters are great fools.” They climbed a few more steps.
“On the night of Robert’s death, I offered your husband a hundred swords and
urged him to take Joffrey into his power. Had he listened, he would be regent
today, and there would have been no need for me to claim the
throne.”
    â€œNed refused you.” She did not have to be told.
    â€œHe had sworn to protect Robert’s children,” Renly said. “I lacked the
strength to act alone, so when Lord Eddard turned me away, I had no choice but
to flee. Had I stayed, I knew the queen would see to it that I did not long
outlive my brother.”
    Had you stayed, and lent your support to Ned, he might still be
alive,
Catelyn thought bitterly.
    â€œI liked your husband well enough, my lady. He was a loyal friend to Robert, I
know . . . but he would not listen and he would not bend. Here,
I wish to show you something.” They had reached the top of the stairwell.
Renly pushed open a wooden door, and they stepped out onto the roof.
    Lord Caswell’s keep was scarcely tall enough to call a tower, but the country
was low and flat and Catelyn could see for leagues in all directions. Wherever
she looked, she saw fires. They covered the earth like fallen stars, and like
the stars there was no end to them. “Count them if you like, my lady,” Renly
said quietly. “You will still be counting when dawn breaks in the east. How
many fires burn around